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Paul Pogba invests in World’s first professional camel racing team in Saudi Arabia

Paul Pogba has broadened his investment footprint by partnering with Al Haboob, a Saudi Arabian camel racing team aiming to build the world’s first professional league.

The former Manchester United midfielder, now with Monaco, joins as both ambassador and shareholder, marking his latest business venture after launching a clothing line earlier this year.

Paul Pogba invests in World’s first professional Camel Racing team in Saudi Arabia

Paul Pogba invests in Camel Racing team – SunSport image

Inside Pogba’s new venture

Pogba, who returned to action this season after his doping ban was reduced from four years to 18 months, is aligning with a fast-growing sport rooted deeply in Arabian tradition.

Al Haboob compete across the GCC region, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, as part of a push to formalise camel racing into a global commercial product.

Elite racing camels can fetch up to £3.8 million, with top speeds reaching 65km/h. The sport’s rapid commercial growth is underscored by the 2024 AlUla Camel Cup, which offered a record-breaking prize pool of nearly £5 million and featured 10,000 competing camels, attended by top Saudi royals.

Paul Pogba invests in World’s first professional Camel Racing team in Saudi Arabia
Paul Pogba – Getty image

Pogba on why he joined the project

Announcing the partnership on Instagram, the World Cup winner said he is proud to be part of “a historic sporting moment.”

He explained that his interest grew during repeated visits to the Middle East, where camel racing increasingly caught his attention.

Pogba said the tradition, culture and competitive spirit behind the sport drew him in, describing it as “a whole world” filled with history and family heritage.

Expanding a diverse portfolio

The midfielder continues to diversify his off-field interests, with investments spanning fashion, tech, real estate and multiple start-ups.

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Madueke stars with double at Brugge as Arsenal maintain perfect Champions League record

Arsenal strengthened their Champions Leaguecampaign on Tuesday night as Noni Madueke’s brace powered a 3-0 win over Club Brugge, extending their 100% record and effectively sealing their place in the knockout stages.

Madueke sets the tone early

Mikel Arteta rotated heavily after the weekend loss to Aston Villa, and one of the incoming players delivered immediately.

Madueke opened the scoring with a brilliant solo effort, shrugging off a defender before firing a 20-yard strike off the crossbar.

Club Brugge applied pressure late in the first half, but David Raya’s sharp saves from Christos Tzolis and Aleksandar Stankovic preserved Arsenal’s lead.

Madueke stars with double at Brugge as Arsenal maintain perfect Champions League record
Madueke scores double to hand Arsenal win over Brugge – Getty image

Quickfire second-half push

Madueke doubled the advantage two minutes into the second half, heading in a precise cross from Martin Zubimendi.

Moments later, Gabriel Martinelli curled home Arsenal’s third to put the game beyond reach and secure a comfortable finish.

Key returns and milestones

Gabriel Jesus made his first appearance in 342 days after recovering from an ACL injury, while 16-year-old Marli Salmon earned his senior debut.

Jesus nearly capped his return with a goal, but his late effort rattled the crossbar.

The victory lifts Arsenal to 18 points, surpassing last season’s threshold for a top-eight finish, and positioning them to bypass the February play-offs and advance straight to the last 16.

Rotation pays off for Arteta

Supporters have urged Arteta to rotate amid a heavy injury list, and he deployed his seventh different centre-back pairing of the season with Christian Nørgaard and Piero Hincapié.

Though the performance dipped at intervals, Arsenal’s control strengthened in the second half, enabling Arteta to manage minutes efficiently.

Gabriel Jesus impressed during his half-hour caméo, offering more attacking presence than Viktor Gyökeres, who endured a challenging evening.

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UCL: Haaland, O’Reilly strike as Alonso’s Madrid sink against Man City

Real Madrid’s crisis deepened on Wednesday night as Manchester City secured a 2-1 win at the Bernabéu, leaving Xabi Alonso’s job on the line after just seven months in charge.

Pep Guardiola, already an unpopular figure in Madrid from his Barcelona days, returned to inflict more damage, this time with a victory that exposed Madrid’s frailties and amplified pressure on his former Bayern Munich protégé.

Madrid start strong but collapse quickly

Despite their struggles in La Liga and a long injury list, Madrid opened brightly. Rodrygo ended his 32-game goal drought with a composed finish after a well-timed pass from Jude Bellingham, giving the hosts the lead they deserved.

The momentum didn’t last. Within five minutes, City were level as Nico O’Reilly reacted quickest to a Thibaut Courtois spill. Madrid’s appeals for a foul on Ruben Dias were dismissed, and City seized control.

UCL: Haaland, O’Reilly strike as Alonso’s Madrid sink against Man City
Man City beat Real Madrid at the Bernabeu – Getty image

Haaland turns the tide

O’Reilly then combined with Jeremy Doku before floating a cross toward Erling Haaland, who was hauled down by Antonio Rüdiger.

After VAR intervention, the penalty was awarded, and Haaland, unfazed after his recent miss against Liverpool, sent Courtois the wrong way.

City nearly added a third before the break, with Courtois producing a double save to deny Haaland and Rayan Cherki.

Madrid chase the game but fall short

Alonso’s side pushed hard in the second half. Bellingham attempted a delicate chip that landed on the roof of the net, while Vinícius Júnior squandered two promising chances. Substitute Endrick struck the crossbar late on, summing up a night of frustration.

City, meanwhile, continued to create chances of their own, with Courtois keeping the deficit respectable as Cherki and Doku caused persistent problems.

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NFF denies claims of owing Chelle two months’ salary, calls out NSC

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has rejected reports alleging that Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle is being owed two months’ salary ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Chelle, appointed in January with clear performance targets, World Cup qualification and a semi-final berth at AFCON, guided Nigeria from fourth to second in Group C of the CAF qualifiers, finishing one point behind South Africa.

He then steered the team through the playoffs, beating Gabon before losing to DR Congo on penalties.

NFF denies claims of owing Chelle two months’ salary, calls out NSC
NFF denies owing Eric Chelle – Getty image

Payment responsibility lies elsewhere

The NFF insists it bears no responsibility for Chelle’s wages. According to OwnGoal, an official clarified that salary matters fall under the National Sports Commission (NSC), led by Shehu Dikko.

The official also corrected circulating rumours, noting that Chelle is owed two months, not three.

“The NFF is not responsible for paying Chelle. The NSC handles that, so they should explain why he hasn’t been paid for October and November,” the official said.

Wider context around financial concerns

This comes after Super Eagles players protested unpaid allowances dating back to 2019 before the World Cup playoff campaign.

Despite the turbulence, Chelle earned a reprieve from the NFF Technical Committee following his strong performances in both qualifying phases, prompting a renewed mandate for AFCON 2025.

The coach has yet to publicly confirm or dispute reports of his outstanding salary.

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UCL: Szoboszlai late penalty hands Liverpool crucial win over Inter Milan

Liverpool secured a high-leverage Champions League win over Inter Milan after Dominik Szoboszlai converted an 88th-minute penalty, delivering a timely operational rebound during a turbulent week for the club.

The narrative heading into the fixture was dominated by Mohamed Salah’s omission following his explosive interview, but the squad recalibrated on the pitch to capture three critical points.

Liverpool regain control amid off-field turbulence

With Salah left in England, responsibility changed hands. A VAR review flagged Alessandro Bastoni’s shirt pull on Florian Wirtz, and Szoboszlai executed under pressure, beating Yann Sommer despite the goalkeeper reading the direction correctly.

The strike maintained Liverpool’s upward trajectory, extending their unbeaten run to four after a damaging sequence of nine defeats in 12.

The Reds now sit on 12 points from six league-phase matches, re-entering the top-eight bracket that guarantees automatic progression to the last 16.

UCL: Szoboszlai late penalty hands Liverpool crucial win over Inter Milan
Szoboszlai scored from the spot to hand Liverpool a vital win vs Inter after – Getty image

Inter threaten but falter late

Inter entered the match on a 19-game unbeaten home run in the competition but saw it collapse despite generating key moments.

Liverpool thought they had broken through earlier when Ibrahima Konaté headed in from a corner, only for VAR to rule Hugo Ekitike had handled the ball in the buildup.

Curtis Jones, Szoboszlai, and Ekitike all forced Sommer into action, while Inter lost Piotr Zielinski and Yann Aurel Bisseck to injury disruptions.

The hosts gained momentum midway through the first half, with Nicolò Barella going close from a free-kick and Lautaro Martínez denied by Alisson.

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Lookman’s Atalanta beat Chelsea to dent Blues’ Champions League knock-out stage qualification

Chelsea took a major hit in their Champions League campaign after Atalanta overturned a first-half deficit to claim a deserved victory in Bergamo.

Both sides entered the fixture level on 10 points, but the result leaves the Blues outside the automatic qualification zone with two league-phase matches left.

Chelsea start fast but lose control

The visitors drew first blood when Joao Pedro converted Reece James’ pinpoint cross, capping a composed early sequence.

For much of the opening period, the margins were slim, even if Ademola Lookman’s direct running continually stressed Chelsea’s defense.

Lookman’s Atalanta beat Chelsea to dent Blues’ Champions League knock-out stage qualification
Lookman made life difficult for Chelsea defenders in the encounter – Getty image

James later fired wide after the break, but the momentum had already begun shifting.

Atalanta take charge

Atalanta intensified their press and were rewarded when Gianluca Scamacca met a well-weighted delivery to level the score.

Alejandro Garnacho forced a save with a powerful effort, but the decisive blow came late: Charles De Ketelaere was afforded too much space on the edge of the box and punished the lapse with a driven finish.

Blues drop out of qualification zone

The loss sends Chelsea tumbling to 11th, outside the top eight required for automatic progression, while Atalanta surge to third, opening a three-point buffer.

The pressure metrics for Chelsea are now non-negotiable heading into the final two fixtures.

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Lionel Messi makes history with back-to-back MLS MVP awards

Lionel Messi has rewritten Major League Soccer’s record books once again, becoming the first player in league history to win consecutive Landon Donovan MLS MVP awards.

The Inter Miami superstar delivered a landmark 2025 campaign, posting numbers unmatched by nearly every player who has competed in the league.

Messi finished the regular season with 48 goal contributions, 29 goals and 19 assists, the second-highest total ever recorded, while leading Inter Miami to a third-place finish in the Eastern Conference.

Unprecedented output fuels historic MVP run

Messi’s year was defined by sustained dominance. He averaged 1.78 goal involvements per 90 minutes, trailing only his own record from the 2024 season.

He also became only the second player to lead MLS in both goals and assists in a single campaign, matching Sebastian Giovinco’s 2015 achievement.

Lionel Messi makes history with back-to-back MLS MVP awards
Lionel Messi wins MLS MVP award for the second time in a roll – Getty image

The Argentine shattered multiple league benchmarks along the way. He became the first MLS player to record 10 multi-goal matches in a single season and produced three or more goal contributions in nine games.

His streak of scoring multiple goals across five straight fixtures from May to July is now the longest such run in MLS history.

Trophy haul points to complete dominance

Messi’s accolades prove the scope of his impact. Beyond his second straight MVP crown, he secured the MLS Golden Boot, was named MLS Cup MVP after orchestrating Inter Miami’s title win with two assists, and earned a suite of monthly and matchday honors.

Across his MLS tenure, Messi now holds:

2 MVP awards

1 MLS Cup MVP

2 Best XI selections

2 All-Star nods

1 Golden Boot

12 Player of the Matchday awards

5 Player of the Month awards

His MVP victory was a landslide, capturing more than 70% of the total vote, well ahead of Anders Dreyer, Denis Bouanga, Evander, and Sam Surridge.

Chasing records and surpassing legends

Messi is now only the second two-time MLS MVP winner, joining Preki, who claimed the award in 1997 and 2003. No other player has won it in consecutive seasons.

Miami’s season ends in triumph despite setbacks

Despite Messi’s statistical brilliance, Miami’s campaign came with turbulence. They exited the CONCACAF Champions Cup early, fell to Seattle in the Leagues Cup final, and failed to defend the Supporters’ Shield.

Their turnaround arrived in the postseason, where Messi’s leadership powered the club to its first-ever MLS Cup

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AFCON 2025: NFF Reportedly Owing Super Eagles Coach, Eric Chelle Three Months Salary

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, is reportedly owing the head coach of the Super Eagles, Eric Chelle, for at least three months.

This was revealed by BBC Sport’s journalist, Oluwashina Okeleji, via his X account on Tuesday.

Okeleji, however, noted that Chelle is yet to make an official complaint to his employers.

“Nigeria coach Eric Chelle is owed three months salary and bonuses ahead of the AFCON,” Okeleji wrote.

“The Malian, who led the Eagles to 2026 World Cup playoff, has however yet to make an official complaint to his employers (the NFF) about the non-payment of his salary.”

Chelle is expected to submit his final 28-man squad ahead of the AFCON by Wednesday, December 10.

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40-Year-Old Cristiano Ronaldo Shocks World With Stoppage Time Bicycle Kick To Keep Al Nassr Top Of The League

The global football community has been thrown into a state of total frenzy following a spectacular display of athleticism by Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 40-year-old legend has once again proven that age is merely a number. He scored a jaw-dropping bicycle kick for Al Nassr during their recent clash against Al Khaleej, sealing a convincing victory that has everyone talking.

It was a moment that demanded immediate attention from fans worldwide. In the past, supporters might have quietly tracked live scores on data-friendly platforms like bet9ja old mobile while on the go. However, the sheer brilliance of this goal meant that static updates were not enough. In fact, video clips of the strike began circulating instantly, showcasing a moment of magic that simply had to be seen to be believed.

A Stoppage Time Wonder At Al-Awwal Park

Reports confirm that the match was played at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh. Al Nassr was already leading, but the team continued to press forward late into the game.

The clock had ticked deep into stoppage time when the magic happened. It seems that Ronaldo was perfectly positioned to meet a right-wing cross delivered by his teammate, Nawaf Boushal.

With his back to the goal, the veteran striker launched himself into the air. He connected with an acrobatic overhead kick that flew past the goalkeeper. This effort secured a 4–1 win for his side in the 2025–26 Saudi Pro League season.

Defying Age And Breaking Records

This goal is not just about the spectacle. Rather, it highlights the incredible physical condition of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Analysts have noted that this strike is recorded as roughly the 954th goal of his professional career. Moreover, it marks his 10th league goal of the current campaign.

Here is a breakdown of the key stats surrounding the match:

  • Total Career Goals: Approximately 954
  • Current Season Goals: 10 in the League
  • Team Record: 9 Wins in 9 Matches
  • Match Outcome: Al Nassr 4–1 Al Khaleej

Due to this victory, Al Nassr has kept their perfect start to the season intact. They have secured nine wins from nine matches, ensuring they remain firmly at the top of the Saudi Pro League table.

Social Media Goes Wild

The reaction to the goal has been massive across the internet. Especially on X (formerly Twitter), where the clip has trended for hours.

Many football pundits are comparing this latest effort to his famous 2018 bicycle kickfor Real Madrid against Juventus.

Ronaldo himself decided to have fun with the moment. He posted the video on his personal account and launched a “best caption wins” challenge. This move sparked a wave of creativity from his followers and ensured the highlight remained the biggest topic of the day.

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LaLiga: Celta Vigo stun Real Madrid 2-0 to compound pressure on Alonso

Real Madrid suffered their second La Liga defeat of the campaign as Celta Vigo delivered a disciplined, high-impact performance to claim a stunning victory at the Bernabéu.

Los Blancos controlled much of the first half but lacked clear execution in the final third.

Jude Bellingham, Arda Güler and Vinícius Júnior all missed clear chances, with Güler’s close-range miss the most glaring.

The opening period was further soured by a suspected hamstring injury to Eder Militão, forcing his early withdrawal.

LaLiga: Celta Vigo stun Real Madrid 2-0 to compound pressure on Alonso
Celta Vigo beat Real Madrid in front of their fans – Getty image

Swedberg breakthrough turns the tide

Celta punished Madrid’s wastefulness shortly after the interval. A sharp collective move ended with Bryan Zaragoza whipping in a precise cross, and Williot Swedberg produced a superb back-heeled finish to put the visitors ahead.

Just minutes later, Real Madrid’s task became even harder. Fran García, already booked for a foul on Sergio Carreira, lunged recklessly into Swedberg and was shown a second yellow card, reducing the hosts to ten men.

Late pressure falls flat as chaos ensues

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Madrid mounted sustained pressure in the final stages, but Celta’s defensive held firm.

Five minutes of stoppage time offered a lifeline, yet frustration boiled over instead.

Álvaro Carreras was dismissed for dissent before Swedberg capitalised again, rounding Thibaut Courtois to calmly slot home his second goal of the night.

Title race blow for Madrid

The defeat leaves Real Madrid four points behind Barcelona in the title race and intensifies criticsm on Xabi Alonso, whose side now face an even bigger challenge with Manchester City visiting the Bernabéu in the Champions League on Wednesday.